Plainview Elementary's Oklahoma Page

Oklahoma History

Oklahoma is an ancient land. The Arbuckle Mountains in south central Oklahoma are some of the oldest geologic formations on earth. Evidence of cultures over 11,000 years old have been found at Anadarko. The Clovis people lived and hunted wooley mammoth centuries ago in the southwestern part of the state.

The Mound Builder people inhabited the eastern part of the state along the Arkansas border from about 500 to 1300 AD. Artifacts found after surveying the mounds show these people were exceptional artisians and traded extensively, perhaps with early Viking sailors. Today, this region is known as Spiro Mounds State Park.

The Quapaw and Osage tribes moved in to this area during the 17th century. It was during this time that the area became territory of the United States as part of the lands acquired with the Louisiana Purchase. The United States government purchased millions of acres from these tribes and in 1820 opened the lands as Indian Territory and relocated the Five Civilized tribes from the east coast. The most notorious of these exodus were the Cherokee's "Trail of Tears" in 1830. They were forced to travel during the winter months and many died and were buried along the way.

Between 1889 and 1895, the U.S. government opened the Indian Territory lands to settlement through "land runs". People came from around the world to stake claims on the new land.

On November 16, 1907, Oklahoma became the 46th state in the Union. " Black Gold" had been discovered and everyone wanted to be part of these new riches. The major cities, Bartlesville, Tulsa, and Ponca City were a result of the oil boom.

Oklahomans are very proud of this beautiful state with its many different peoples, water falls, rivers, beautiful forests and woods. We enjoy a warmth and friendliness those who live here never forget, and visitors will long remember.

Facts Page

OKLAHOMA FLAG

Oklahoma Maps

Maps

Oklahoma Statistics

Stats

Check Oklahoma and National weather conditions

Weather

Oklahoma Museum of Natural History

Museum

Oklahoma Government

Government

Oklahoma Department of Tourism

Native America

Oklahoma Living Magazine

Oklahoma Living Magazine

The Oklahoma Oprey

Oklahoma Oprey

Maps of Oklahoma to Download

Maps of Oklahoma

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Intermediate